# Protecting Phone Data from Border Agents **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/protecting-phone-data-from-border-agents/25140 **Category:** Questions **Created:** 2025-02-20T04:46:37Z **Posts:** 44 ## Post 1 by @Alex1 — 2025-02-20T04:46:37Z I just discovered that Australian Border Force agents (I’m Australian) can ask you to unlock your phone and take it away to download files, etc. You can legally refuse but they can take the phone anyway and make life very difficult. I had no idea although I shouldn’t be surprised given our privacy space. Although I’m highly unlikely to be targeted and have nothing to hide if I was, it’s the principle of the thing. Also, I don’t trust government to keep my data safe once they have it. And don’t see why the NSA should get it just because we’re in the 5 Eyes. I just bought an iPhone (because of the camera) for my holiday so I don’t want a cheap burner. In any event, this is more an in-principle exercise rather than facing a serious threat. Also, I can tolerate the inconvenience, but my wife won’t with her phone so I need to manage this with minimal pain for her. Do you good people decide just to live with this and carry on when you travel, or is there a middle ground between let them have anything and get a burner phone? My thoughts: 1. Delete apps I won’t need for the duration. 2. Before going through customs, do an online back up (this happens anyway). Then log out of iCloud and other online accounts. Delete all local data that I don’t need. (Photos, Contacts, iMessages, etc.) 3. The big question is other encrypted messaging apps - WhatsApp and Signal. Because they’re privacy forward, it’s harder to get the data back when I log back in. Would they be safe if they’re locked and I had to give up my phone? That’s assuming they’re just sucking data and I’m not forced to unlock the apps. I don’t know if AFB does that. 4. In the unlikely event they did want to look at my phone, I presume I’d be looking at a complete reset and reinstall. I can’t really afford to replace it. 5. Anything else? This is all pretty hypothetical. I’m not in any demographic likely to be targeted and have no criminal record. Just an abundance of caution. --- ## Post 2 by @fria — 2025-02-20T06:40:55Z My thought is backup to iCloud and factory reset the phone. Then restore from iCloud backup when you’re past the checkpoint. I’ve never been out of the country though so not sure how well this works. They might be suspicious of a phone with nothing on it. --- ## Post 3 by @IksNorTen — 2025-02-20T07:05:38Z > [@fria](#): > > They might be suspicious of a phone with nothing on it. And they will. After the factory reset, you have to at least add some random data : pictures of nature or other things, random texting with some people, etc. That’s annoying because you should do this a few days before travelling, but it will be less suspicious. If they still ask you why your phone looks so empty you can say that you had to reset it after so issues on the software (a major update went wrong but I’m not sure It’s the best idea because they can check when your last update was, but you can argue that your phone was very glitchy and it was almost impossible to use it so you had to do a reset, etc.). An easier solution would be to buy a second phone and use it as your travel phone. All important data would be on cloud (but obviously logged out while travelling). --- ## Post 4 by @phnx — 2025-02-20T07:50:53Z It doesn’t really matter. Shutdown the device so it is in the BFU state and as long as you have a secure password they won’t be able to access your data. My understanding is that as with most countries, a citizen they cannot deny you entry, even if they attempt to make your life unnecessarily difficult. Being forced to unlock your device is generally not a huge concern when traveling to a country which you are a citizen of for precisely this reason. A non citizen however is likely to be denied entry for this reason alone. --- ## Post 5 by @Alex1 — 2025-02-20T08:04:42Z If I understand it correctly, they can detain you and refer you to other relevant authorities. And hold onto your device (which really isn’t worth it, for me.) Australia pretends to value privacy but it really doesn’t. --- ## Post 6 by @phnx — 2025-02-20T08:09:58Z In that case it’s probably best to travel with a factory reset device and to restore a backup after the fact as others have suggested. Yes it’s potentially suspicious but especially as a citizen it shouldn’t cause you any major problems. --- ## Post 7 by @anon73250778 — 2025-02-20T10:33:56Z I think its reasonable to say that i don’t want to be subjected to unreasonable searches and did not bring my phone. You can probably setup some sort of temporary nextcloud account online for this specific travel purpose. It should be fine. --- ## Post 8 by @AnotherBloodyUsername — 2025-02-20T19:04:21Z I have passed though Australia before without issue. Windows tablet and android phone. Essentially, do not keep anything that’s not important. I had Signal on my phone and tablet and basic apps such as plex, spotify ect and not had any issue. Just don’t do anything stupid, have passport ready, filled out form and that’s it. Ok this was 2019, so things may have changed since then. --- ## Post 9 by @WhinyHamletPayer — 2025-02-21T09:09:51Z I would try to get a cheap used phone before traveling and leave your actual phone behind. My concern is the threat of authorities installing a keylogger once they have possession of your phone. Usually once they receive your passcode they will take your phone to another room where they will copy your data and conduct their forensics. Relevant video > **[How to Stop Phone Searches When Traveling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDm5e_-600I)** > > Did you know you can lock an iPhone so that forensics tools at the airport can't connect to it? Traveling with digital devices can be risky -- if your device... --- ## Post 10 by @Alex1 — 2025-02-21T09:55:39Z Does doing a complete erase and reset remove a keylogger? --- ## Post 11 by @hakavlad — 2025-02-21T10:09:42Z > [@fria](#): > > They might be suspicious of a phone with nothing on it. And what? This person is not a criminal. --- ## Post 12 by @fria — 2025-02-21T10:27:07Z Not sure if they can force you to restore from a backup if they think you have one. --- ## Post 13 by @anon37939261 — 2025-02-21T12:17:49Z I would say it depends on the country. In Australia they can force you to unlock any device you have the password to and also to restore a backup if they have the warrant that allows them to do this. If it is a electronic device, they can force you to help them to access all data that is on it or saved at any other location you have access to (like a cloud). "The Cybercrime Act 2001 No. 161, Items 12 and 28 grant police with a magistrate’s order the wide-ranging power to require "a specified person to provide any information or assistance that is reasonable and necessary to allow the officer to “access computer data that is “evidential material”; this is understood to include mandatory decryption. Failing to comply carries a penalty of 6 months’ imprisonment.” ([Source](https://www.efa.org.au/Issues/Privacy/security.html#ccb01)) It is even worse in countries like Singapore for example, where the police has even more power (key disclosure, forced access to data) but you also have to (by law) tell them everything you know about a crime, not matter if you are the one who is being accused of having committed it or not. ([Singapore: Freedom on the Net 2024 Country Report | Freedom House](https://freedomhouse.org/country/singapore/freedom-net/2024)) It might be good, to create a page about Key Disclosure Laws and plausible deniability through encryption. --- ## Post 14 by @TinFoilHat — 2025-02-21T12:32:46Z > [@anon37939261](#): > > to create a page about Key Disclosure Laws and plausible deniability through encryption. I think the intention is good but the scope is huge and every character in that page has to be verified by practicing lawyers in all mentioned countries. Relevant information for a few countries might be already available from some civil rights groups, which might make the work redundant. Unless PG simply aggregate a list of links, but it is pretty much useless, since whoever reach out to that page would already know about the keyword and result rankings in search engines of those orgs are usually higher than PG. It seems very tricky to me. --- ## Post 15 by @Alex1 — 2025-02-21T12:50:19Z I didn’t know that although it figures. In this case I’m just thinking of the border. A magistrate would want a reason. --- ## Post 16 by @WhinyHamletPayer — 2025-02-22T09:43:06Z No idea but I personally wouldn’t chance it, which is why I personally opt for a burner or at least a dedicated phone for travel. --- ## Post 17 by @Vawotop — 2025-02-24T20:42:48Z The best way in my opinion would be to use multi profile feature in some privacy / security focused OS. --- ## Post 18 by @KevPham — 2025-02-24T22:03:56Z Unless they decide to image it… --- ## Post 19 by @user1 — 2025-03-26T20:56:19Z > **[How to protect your phone and data privacy at the US border](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/26/phone-search-privacy-us-border-immigration)** > > With reports of people being turned away at airports over messages found on devices, here’s what to do to minimize risks --- ## Post 20 by @beantaco — 2025-03-27T00:10:21Z > [@IksNorTen](#): > > After the factory reset, you have to at least add some random data : pictures of nature or other things, random texting with some people, etc. A factory reset device could raise suspicion, and adding some random data afterwards helps avoid the suspicion. However what if the border agents notice that everything was added just hours/days before? They might see files’ timestamps, or their software (Cellebrite or whatever they use) might show them all files were recently added. > [@IksNorTen](#): > > An easier solution would be to buy a second phone and use it as your travel phone. Assuming OP or their wife cannot tolerate harassment at the border (therefore BFU is not a solution), this to me sounds like the best solution for someone who must carry a phone, even though it slightly violates OP’s request for a solution between handing over all data and carrying a burner phone. Regularly maintain the device like you would an everyday device: add/remove data and apps, do security updates, etc. > [@anon73250778](#): > > I think its reasonable to say that i don’t want to be subjected to unreasonable searches and did not bring my phone. Totally agree, though it might not fit OP’s situation. --- ## Post 21 by @beantaco — 2025-03-27T01:15:53Z Additional points that come mostly from the NBTV video: - Beware of the possibility of border agents installing a keylogger or some other malware if a device is seized. - Beware that some logos on devices, luggage, personal items, etc. (cryptocurrency stickers for example) might trigger border agents to be more zealous. - The most common device seizure points at airports are going through security and boarding the aircraft. If you want to use your devices, use them before arriving at the departure airport, while in the air, or after leaving the arrival airport. - Fully power off all devices to make the device’s encryption effective. - Strong passwords offer more protection than PINs, patterns and biometrics. - Data self destruct in the event of multiple failed authentication attempts might be a good idea. - Assume any form of lying to border agents risks jail time. - If asked by a border agent to do something, it might help to ask for clarification whether they are just asking for your consent or they are giving you an order. - Before travel across borders, mentally prepare how best to deal with border agents’ harassment: know of what your rights are in each jurisdiction, evaluate what level of harassment you can tolerate, decide whether or not you will cooperate with border agents and how you will cooperate or not cooperate, etc. --- ## Post 22 by @WhinyHamletPayer — 2025-04-18T07:55:40Z Very comprehensive article by Wired. > **[How to Enter the US With Your Digital Privacy Intact](https://web.archive.org/web/20250415182342/https://www.wired.com/2017/02/guide-getting-past-customs-digital-privacy-intact/)** > > Crossing into the United States has become increasingly dangerous for digital privacy. Here are a few steps you can take to minimize the risk of Customs and Border Protection accessing your data. --- ## Post 23 by @forumuser — 2025-04-20T08:05:59Z What is your take on India Then, Is It Becoming A Dragnet Surveillance State? --- ## Post 24 by @WhinyHamletPayer — 2025-04-27T04:51:41Z > **[How to Protect Yourself From Phone Searches at the US Border](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protect-yourself-from-phone-searches-at-the-us-border/)** > > Customs and Border Protection has broad authority to search travelers’ devices when they cross into the United States. Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border. A more recent article specific to phones. --- ## Post 25 by @null — 2025-04-27T16:55:46Z Archive > **[How to Protect Yourself From Phone Searches at the US Border](https://web.archive.org/web/20250427021331/https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-protect-yourself-from-phone-searches-at-the-us-border/)** > > Customs and Border Protection has broad authority to search travelers’ devices when they cross into the United States. Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border. --- ## Post 26 by @ihateKYC — 2025-04-28T22:01:25Z 101% --- ## Post 27 by @user1 — 2025-06-23T19:01:32Z For some higher threat model > **[Undercover Journalist Unpacks Essential Tools to Escape Detection](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iaAgup85gk)** > > When you go up against neo-Nazis, Congolese warlords, or armed border guards, the right gear can save you from jail — or worse.Vegas Tenold has spent the pas... --- ## Post 28 by @null — 2025-06-23T20:36:49Z One small thing that I noted. It is probably bad idea to take a usb date blocker with you to a hostile country as a journalist, you probably come on a higher risk list. If you really want a data blocker. I think a data blocker cable without the “Data block” logo is probably a better idea. the only one I know of is [PortaPow’s USB A to USB C data blocker cable.](https://portablepowersupplies.co.uk/product/usb-usb-c-data-blocker-cable) Not the USB C to C because it has Data block logo. --- ## Post 29 by @CarefulMouse — 2025-06-23T22:10:33Z Have there been any reports or individual accounts of a blank phone causing issue at a border? Were there any tangible negative effects? --- ## Post 30 by @iluvprivacy — 2025-06-24T01:30:14Z Yes, all the media reports that I have read, which quoted legal experts say this is true in Canada and the US. If you’re a non-citizen and fail to obey orders such as giving the passcodes, you will be denied entry. For citizens, your devices will likely be seized and forensically analyzed such as having data downloaded. Failure to follow orders may also lead to prosecution at the Canadian and US borders. --- ## Post 31 by @iluvprivacy — 2025-06-24T01:34:01Z You’re just arousing suspicions because in this day and age, who travels like that? Also, as a non-citizen, you don’t have the legal right to enter. So if the border agent doesn’t trust what you’re saying, you’re basically guaranteed to be deported. I don’t know what the law is in other countries, but in the US, non-citizens who are denied entry are banned from re-entering for a minimum of 5 years. All details pertaining to your denied entry and subsequent deportation will be recorded for life. So every time you arrive in the US, border agents will know about your past. --- ## Post 32 by @KevPham — 2025-06-24T02:55:42Z Unless you are a citizen of that country AND are guaranteed protection from unwarranted searches or seizure, you should almost always comply if you need to enter. If anything on your phone is sensitive, don’t bring it. Get a burner phone instead. --- ## Post 33 by @CarefulMouse — 2025-06-24T02:59:14Z > [@KevPham](#): > > If anything on your phone is sensitive, don’t bring it. Get a burner phone instead. Did you mean to reply to me? My quote: > [@CarefulMouse](#): > > Have there been any reports or individual accounts of a **blank phone** causing issue at a border? Were there any tangible negative effects? I’m still trying to understand what is suspicious or untoward about a completely benign device. > [@KevPham](#): > > Unless you are a citizen of that country AND are guaranteed protection from unwarranted searches or seizure, you should almost always comply if you need to enter. I never suggested otherwise. --- ## Post 34 by @KevPham — 2025-06-24T03:11:05Z > [@CarefulMouse](#): > > Did you mean to reply to me? My quote: My bad, that was meant to the other replies to your post. > [@CarefulMouse](#): > > > Have there been any reports or individual accounts of a **blank phone** causing issue at a border? Were there any tangible negative effects? Just from my brief research, I don’t think there has been specific reports but please correct if I’m wrong. Personally? I think the issue comes from being a targeted individual in the first place. If you unlock your Pixel and just show them your photo roll, you are most likely safe. Otherwise, the border guards may already think you are up to something before you arrive on your flight. If you believe that your phone will be sent for forensic analysis, you have more things to worry about besides appearing suspicious. --- ## Post 35 by @iluvprivacy — 2025-06-24T04:43:28Z Nobody knows what the criteria are for a secondary inspection as this is what it’s called. US border agents have powers that American police officers don’t have. I know you think this is unreasonable, but the US Supreme Court has backed the legality of this. The bottom line is that if you’re not an American citizen, I would advise you to comply with what they ask you to do. If you’re not comfortable with this, then don’t go to the US. --- ## Post 36 by @asanyan — 2025-06-24T18:55:54Z Do they also typically take laptops for inspection? If so, I wonder if just having it boot into a unencrypted dummy Windows install by default would be sufficient to pass the checks. --- ## Post 37 by @beantaco — 2025-06-25T02:38:51Z > [@CarefulMouse](#): > > Have there been any reports or individual accounts of a blank phone causing issue at a border? Were there any tangible negative effects? > [@asanyan](#): > > Do they also typically take laptops for inspection? If so, I wonder if just having it boot into a unencrypted dummy Windows install by default would be sufficient to pass the checks. I’ve never seen reports about blank devices, but it’s worth considering what border agents who find a blank device may do. Some will think nothing of it. Others will assume the owner is trying to hide something and deserves scrutiny. I have no idea which case is more likely. As I write below, how it will play out depends. For the latter case, I imagine negative effects for the person _could_ be, like for any case of border abuse, time loss, missed flight, psychological harm from being abused, refusal of entry/exit, stolen/bugged device, etc. That said, presenting a blank device and risking its theft/compromise may be possibly better than having all data copied into government databases and risking theft/compromise of a real device. Letting the blank device age and loading plausible dummy data/apps would make it more convincing. > [@iluvprivacy](#): > > Nobody knows what the criteria are for a secondary inspection as this is what it’s called. As this statement suggests, not knowing what we’re up against is a key point. Additionally, whether or not someone is subjected to scrutiny depends on that person’s characteristics (nationality, appearance, history, reasons for travel, etc.) and the border agent (and their mood) that happens to encounter them. In light of this, given sweeping powers border agents are given, there is no silver bullet to passing through any border crossing without being abused. I believe it is best to implement countermeasures based on threat modeling and risk analysis based on one’s own situation and goals. Drawing from previous posts in this thread and other sources, there are some digital security principles that are good in most cases. I think everyone who crosses a border should practise some level of digital security; not just for the sake of protecting one’s own devices and data, but for protecting their contacts, communities and other affiliations. --- ## Post 38 by @iluvprivacy — 2025-06-25T02:45:37Z The goal is pretty simple and that is to enter. Why else would you fly all the way there? I don’t know how anyone’s threat modelling could be different unless you’re a citizen. I haven’t seen any logical explanation as to why having a blank device is a good idea. Sure, this would prevent any government from obtaining your data, but you also risk further questioning and deportation. So if you’re not willing to cooperate, then why fly there? I think the trick is to at least have some data on it and make it appear it’s your main device. --- ## Post 39 by @beantaco — 2025-06-25T03:17:25Z > [@iluvprivacy](#): > > The goal is pretty simple and that is to enter. Sure, people who travel generally want to enter/exit without being abused. But it’s not as simple as that. Some people may want to avoid all hassle while others are willing to risk jail time. Some people may want to protect their data more than they want to enter/exit. Some people are more privileged than others, for instance by possessing citizenship. --- ## Post 40 by @iluvprivacy — 2025-06-25T04:30:00Z The problem is that you don’t get to decide whether it’s abuse or not. You’re free to Google up the topic if you don’t believe me. Lots of news media have quoted lawyers on the matter and they all said travelers, including American citizens, for context, I’m assuming that’s what we’re talking about since this is frequently on the news, have very few rights at the border. So if you’re not prepared for the process then why fly all the way there? I think common sense would say you have to be prepared for the worst. So if you don’t want to deal with the hassle, go somewhere else. --- ## Post 41 by @Julie — 2025-06-26T01:26:31Z Since you are a citizen, Why not also remove your simcard and store it in another container ? --- ## Post 42 by @iluvprivacy — 2025-06-26T03:45:33Z This isn’t just about me now, is it? Hiding a SIM card doesn’t help. While Americans cannot be denied entry into the US, their phones can be seized. Your idea doesn’t help Americans wanting to go to Canada or Australia. Not bringing a SIM is better than concealing it in another container. Just an all around bad idea regardless of whether you’re a citizen or not. --- ## Post 43 by @PurpleDime — 2025-06-27T18:38:49Z > **[Why you definitely SHOULD NOT share this JD Vance meme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eEz_oVNhak&feature=youtu.be)** > > After landing at Newark airport, Norwegian tourist Mads Mikkelsen says he was detained and denied entry to the U.S. because immigration officials found on hi... I just found out about this crazy story. A Norwegian tourist was detained by US immigration agents in Newark airport, and they demanded access to his cellphone. He very reluctantly agreed, and they found this meme of Vice President J.D. Vance, which they found objectionable. As a result, he was denied entry and deported. **RESPONSE FROM US CUSTOMS:** Since this story made the news, US Customs and Border Protection responded by denying that the tourist was denied entry because of this meme, but that it was instead because of his admitted drug use. The touristed admitted to having tried marijuana exactly twice in his life, once in New Mexico, once in New Jersey. Nobody believes that was the real reason, including myself. Marijuana is legal for recreational use in both Germany and New Mexico. Personally, I find this story insane, and terrifying. The fact that you could be denied entry for something as trivial as a meme is extremely alarming. **HOW DOES ONE ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT DRUG USE IF THEY WANT TO PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY BUT ALSO BE SAFE?** Moreover, I am very curious at how US immigration agents ask tourists traveler about drug use. **Do they ask about specific drugs, or do they ask about general drug use?** Imagine, if they, just ask if you’ve ever done drugs. As someone who has never done any illegal drugs, including cannabis, and has never been attracted to them, I have enjoyed educating myself about them. I still do. All this is to say that as someone who is a little bit educated on the topic, I understand that alcohol is a drug, and so are prescribed medicine. Hence, if a border agent asked me if I had ever done drugs, based on my factual scientific understanding, I would be inclined to say yes, to the degree that I have tried alcohol and taken medication that was prescribed to me in the past. Even if for most people, the word “drug” connotes illegal recreational substances such as cannabis, cocaine, etc…I find that in legal situations it’s important to be accurate. **Do you think a tourist could get into trouble for saying that?** It feels like catch-22. I’ve often been told that in situations like this, you should never give more information than is required. _ **Scenario 1:** _ That means that if I’m asked if I have ever done drugs, I should just say yes or no. However, I am confident that if just say yes, the border agent is not thinking of alcohol or prescribed medicine, though they should consider that or ask for specifics instead of assuming I’m admitting to have used illegal drugs. _ **Scenario 2:** _ On the hand, suppose I say, > _Yes, I have done drugs in the past. I had a sip of wine last Sunday during communion at church, and I was prescribed painkillers when I broke my knee skateboarding when I was 10._ The customs agent could think I am being a smart ass and deny me entry even though I’m telling the truth. _ **Scenario 3:** _ Lastly, suppose I make the assumption that the border agent refers to illegal recreational drugs, and simply reply: > _No, I have never done drugs._ If they find out that I take prescribed medication for something through searching me and my luggage, or see that I bought a bottle of wine on the plane, they could use that against me because I didn’t disclose it, and those are technically drugs. --- ## Post 44 by @Julie — 2025-06-27T19:25:30Z I was replying to Alex, not to you.